Job search < 2 months in current role

Baby01032012

Hi all and thanks for reading. I value your opinions. I was unemployed for nearly 10 months. Eventually was offered a job which I took. I hate it. I work late nearly every evening. I've upcoming deadlines which I can't see myself meeting.

I'm in the industry a long time but found it hard to get a job. Took a job which is a lot more junior than level I've been at in the past. This is partly the problem. I don't mind doing the work. The main issue is trying to figure out the process from last year. There are only managers. No one on site to find out from. Work was taken back from another country but no procedures. Just reems of spreadsheet downloads from various systems with a lot of manual edits and no trail to follow. It's a guessing game.

I don't want to look for another role so soon after starting but despite my efforts it seems impossible to manage the work.

How should I approach looking for a job so soon after starting, in terms of cv agencies and explaining myself to potential employers. I don't want to be unemployed again but I can't stay in this job much longer.

Atlantic Dawn

Try to use it constructively, tell perspective employers that your current role is not challenging enough and you seek something more relevant to your skills.

Baby01032012

Hello, I'm the OP.

6 of us were taken on as contractors for period from 6 to 12 months. We've all been working long hours to meet deadlines. On top of issues I mentioned in opening post, old team gone, no procedures in place, trying to figure out how it was done last year.

I think everyone has pulled their weight. All contractors are put at back of floor away from the permanent staff. There have been no team meetings to discuss deadlines or how the teams work is progressing.

One of the contractors didn't show up yesterday. All perm staff were away for hour presumed in a meeting. When they got back head of dept. Sent email to all contractors and cc'd all permanent staff. Saying the contractor had been fired with immediate effect for benefit of the team. That he didn't want to alarm or concern us. Nothing else in the mail.

I feel like it's a threat that any or all of us may be let go. No info on what the guy did wrong which would help me be aware and avoid doing same. Whatever happened with the guy I feel is a private matter. It's of no benefit to let all know he had been fired. The fact that all perm staff including staff at same or lower level or put in cc it's a threat directly at contractors.

I have a good relationship with the person I report to I've met deadlines I've put in 12 hour days 5 days a week. I was fired from a previous role through no fault of my own. I feel very insecure now after that email. I know I'm a contractor and can be let go at any stage. And I should look for something else. I had been told by agency that 3 would be kept on. However shortly after I started the dept head said they were looking to set up a polish team, they have teams in India. I just don't think I can trust that there will be any perm jobs at the end never mind being kept on for full 12 month contract.

Just looking for opinions. Just feel very insecure in my role right now.

Mrs OBumble

Network with the permies to find out what they know.

But ... you're a contractor and should not be expecting to get kept on forever either.